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getting more and more secluded. I relax. This is what I want. Seclusion. Somewhere it would be hard for Ethan to plan an attack. Somewhere it would be hard for others to reach him if I killed him here.  
    We round the last curve, and that’s when I see the house. It looks magical. There are old stone walls going around the house with green vines growing over them. A large, arched wooded door is at the entrance of the stone walls, keeping everyone out while still looking friendly. The house looks much the same. It’s built of stone and brick and looks like something out of a storybook instead of a modern home. Landon parks the car and takes my hand this time as we walk to the wooden door. He feels it too. This is our home. This is what I want.  
    We push the door open, and I smile when I see the garden that goes all around the house. There are flowers that I don’t know the names of. Green plants and large trees. It’s paradise in here.  
    I glance at Landon, who is smiling as he takes it all in. We wait for the realtor to open the door before we walk into the home. Instead of the grand staircase entrance like all of the rest of the homes we have toured, the entrance of this one is small. Yes, there is a staircase, but it is tucked away to the side; instead, the front entrance of the house gives a view to the back of the house where a beautiful stone fireplace and cozy living room sits next to an expansive kitchen. I hear our realtor talking. Something about three bedrooms and three baths. And only one living room and kitchen compared to the other houses’ two or three. I don’t hear her, though. I’m too busy falling in love.  
    I glance up at Landon who, to my surprise, seems to be falling in love with it too. I thought he would want something modern. Something more manly. Something closer to his condo, but he seems to be falling for the charm of this place just like I am. I glance out the window to a large yard in the back. I see a small tire swing hanging from one of the large oak trees.  
    I try to imagine Landon pushing a kid on that swing while I read a book on the bench, occasionally glancing up to see them smiling and laughing together. I could imagine it. I could imagine a life without pain. A life without my past. A life that is just about us.  

CHAPTER NINE
Landon

    He left me alone in the dark.  
    He left me on my own to deal
    With my own pain, hurt, and loss.  

    I hated leaving Alex, but I had to. I have another concert in Dallas that was already booked. While Alex has to stay and move us into our new home.  
    I smile thinking about it. I didn’t think I would like the home. I thought I wanted something big and grand. Something that showed off how hard we both worked for our money. Something that proved that I was never going back to living the way that both of us grew up. With nothing. But something about that cottage just felt right. It felt like a home instead of just a mansion. I’m happy she convinced me to try it out and not just because she loves it. I love it too.  
    I glance at Drew riding in the back of the SUV with me. He hasn’t said a word. Not one fucking word to me since we got on our flight out of here. He hasn’t even been on his phone like usual. Instead, he just stares out his window in a trance. I know I haven’t been the best brother lately. I’ve been focused on Alex, then Caroline, then Alex, then Caroline again. I have no idea what’s going on with Drew’s life. I have no idea.  
    We used to spend a lot of time together, but other than our business trips, we haven’t spent any time together since I met Alex. I should really make more of an effort, but I can’t. Not while I’m still trying to figure out what I’m going to do about Caroline. Or what I’m going to tell Alex.  
    Dallas is hard, though. It’s hard on both of us. It’s where we grew up. It’s where our father is.  
    “How are you holding up?”  
    “Fine,” Drew says without looking at